JP6792710B2 - A portable object with a rotary control stem that detects operation with two inductive sensors - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to small portable objects such as timekeepers having a rotary control stem that controls at least one electronic or mechanical function of their own. More specifically, the present invention relates to such a portable object in which the operation of a rotary control stem is detected by measuring magnetic induction with two inductive sensors.

The present invention relates to a small portable object such as a wristwatch, which has a rotary control stem, and by activating the rotary control stem, the rotary control stem is arranged to be portable. The mechanical or electronic function of an object is controlled.

In order to properly perform the relevant mechanical or electronic functions, it must be possible to detect the operation of the rotary control stem. Among the various methods, there is one that measures the change in magnetic induction created by the rotation of a magnet integrated with the control stem. In order to detect such a change in magnetic induction, a magnetic sensor such as a Hall effect sensor capable of measuring the value of magnetic induction in the environment in which it is located can be used.

In the field of detecting the rotation of a control stem by measuring magnetic induction, it is often a challenge to know exactly how much and in what direction the control stem has rotated. To overcome this problem, a system having a pair of magnetic sensors such as a magneto register and a Hall effect sensor has already been proposed. In these known systems, the magnetic sensor detects changes in magnetic induction caused by the rotation of a magnet integrated with a control stem in two orthogonal directions in space.

In such a system, magnetic sensors measure changes in magnetic induction in two orthogonal directions, so that the measurement signals produced by these magnetic sensors can be influenced by the magnetic disturbances outside the portable object. There is a problem based on the fact that such magnetic disturbance cannot be reduced when it is oriented along the measurement axis of only one of the two magnetic sensors. In fact, in this case, the other magnetic sensor does not detect the external magnetic disturbance, so the effect of this magnetic disturbance on the two measurement signals is not symmetrical and therefore cannot be eliminated. Therefore, it is necessary to provide an electromagnetic shield on the portable object, which is very troublesome and costly. Other methods are known, but are specifically intended for the measurement of the Earth's magnetic field. In such applications, one or more magnetic sensors with high sensitivity are used. This is because the measured earth's magnetic field is very weak, typically on the order of 20-60 μT. However, these magnetic sensors are usually unable to measure magnetic induction above 5 mT, whereas the value of small magnets often reaches 100 mT.

The present invention is a portable object having a rotary stem that controls at least one of its own mechanical or electronic functions, and the operation of this rotary stem is reliably and reproducibly detected by an inductive sensor. It is an object of the present invention to solve the above-mentioned problems and the like by providing the ones to be used.

To this end, the present invention relates to a portable object having a control stem and a magnetization ring, by rotating and operating the control stem to provide at least one electronic or mechanical function of the portable object. The magnetizing ring can be controlled and is rotationally driven by the control stem, and the rotation and position of the control stem is a change in magnetic induction caused by the rotation of the magnetization ring in only two directions parallel to each other in space. Is detected by two inductive sensors that are configured to detect.

According to other embodiments of the invention that form the subject of the dependent claims.
-The two inductive sensors are arranged symmetrically with respect to a plane passing through the center of rotation of the magnetized ring at the same distance from the center of rotation of the magnetized ring.
-The two inductive sensors detect changes in magnetic induction only in the vertical direction. That is, the two inductive sensors detect a change in magnetic induction in a direction perpendicular to the back side of the portable object only in the vertical direction, and the axis of symmetry in the longitudinal direction of the control stem extends parallel to the back side. ing.
-The two inductive sensors are signals that the two inductive sensors are out of phase with each other by a value of 60 to 120 ° when the magnetization ring is rotated by the operation of the control stem. Is configured for the control stem to generate.
-The portable object has a frame configured to act as a cradle for the control stem, and the inductive sensor is located in at least one housing disposed within the frame. And is held in the frame by elastic means.
-The two inductive sensors are placed in two separate housings that make up within the frame.
-The portable object has a holding plate with at least one elastic finger, which holds the inductive sensor in at least one housing in which the inductive sensor is located. Hold by pressure on the inductive sensor.
-The holding plate has two elastic fingers, the inductive sensor is fixed to the printed circuit sheet, and the elastic finger is fixed at a place where the inductive sensor is fixed to the printed circuit sheet. Push.
-The printed circuit sheet is flexible, the printed circuit sheet is bent into contact with the frame, and the inductive sensor is placed in the housing.
-The elastic finger immobilizes the inductive sensor in the vertical direction.
-The elastic finger is configured to press the inductive sensor against the bottom of the housing in which the inductive sensor is located.

"Inductive sensor" means a sensor that converts a magnetic field passing through itself into a voltage by the phenomenon of induction defined by Lenz's law and Faraday's law. For example, the inductive sensor can be a Hall effect sensor or a component that utilizes a reluctance of the type AMR (anisotropic magnetoresistance), GMR (giant magnetoresistance) or TMR (tunnel magnetoresistance).

As a result of these features, the present invention presents at least one mechanical or electronic of a portable object by measuring the change in magnetic induction caused by the rotation of a magnet driven by a control stem with two inductive sensors. Provide a portable object capable of detecting the rotation of a control stem that controls a function. These two inductive sensors are configured to detect changes in magnetic induction in only one direction in space. It is clear that the magnetic induction created by the environment in which the portable object is located is added to the magnetic induction generated by the magnetization ring. The present invention is based on a pair of inductive sensors detecting magnetic induction in only one direction, and by appropriate signal processing, the effect of magnetic induction in the environment where the portable object is located is completely measured from the measurement results. Allows to be removed. In fact, as a result of such measurements, a situation occurs in which the magnetic disturbance generated by the environment in which the portable object is located is oriented so as to be oriented along the measurement axis of only one of the two inductive sensors. There is no such thing. Therefore, there is no longer a situation where one of the two inductive sensors does not detect the external magnetic disturbance, whereby the effect of the external magnetic disturbance on the measurement signal is the same for both inductive sensors and therefore eliminated. be able to. Therefore, it is no longer necessary to magnetically shield the portable object to avoid the effects of magnetic induction on the outside of the portable object, which can save space. This is very advantageous in the case of small portable objects where the available space is inevitably very limited. Also, the absence of shielding simplifies the manufacture of portable objects, thus ensuring reliability and cost reduction.

The present invention further relates to a method of detecting the position of a control stem by rotating and operating the control stem to control the electronic or mechanical function of a portable object comprising the control stem. The control stem rotationally drives the magnetizing ring, and the rotation and position of the control stem are configured to detect changes in magnetic induction caused by the rotation of the magnetization ring in only one direction in space. Detected by a sex sensor, the method comprises the step of calculating the arctangent function of the ratio between the signals produced by each of the inductive sensors to determine the direction and position of rotation of the control stem.

As a result of these features, the absolute position of the control stem can be determined regardless of the direction of rotation of the control stem. That is, the angular position of the stem can be known at any time. Therefore, the resolution of the position detection measurement of the control stem is high, and it can be reproduced even in the case of large-scale manufacturing even if the manufacturing of one product is shifted to the production of another product.

Other features and advantages of the invention can also be clearly understood by reading the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the portable object according to the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. There will be. Such examples are purely non-limiting explanations.

FIG. 3 is an unassembled perspective view of a device that controls at least one electronic function of a small portable object. It is a perspective view which looked at the lower frame from above. It is a perspective view of the control stem, and the rear end to the front end of the control stem extend from the right side to the left side in this figure. FIG. 3 is an unassembled perspective view of a magnetic assembly formed by smooth bearings and support rings and magnetized rings. It is a longitudinal sectional view along the vertical plane of the control device, in which a smooth bearing and a magnetic assembly formed by a support ring and a magnetizing ring are arranged. It is a perspective view seen from the lower side about the upper frame. FIG. 7A is a perspective view of the plate indexing the position of the control stem as viewed from above. FIG. 7B is a detailed view of the circular region of FIG. 7A. It is a perspective view about the positioning spring which is configured to cooperate with the plate which indexes the position of a control stem. Positional view of the control stem Top view of the spring limiting the displacement of the indexing plate. It is a perspective view of the disassembly plate. FIG. 6 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a portion of the control device showing a hole into which a pointed tool is inserted to release the control stem from the position indexing plate. FIG. 12A is a perspective view showing the control stem in the stable position T1 which is linked to the position indexing plate and the positioning spring. FIG. 12B is a diagram similar to FIG. 12A in which the control stem is in the unstable indentation position T0. FIG. 12C is a diagram similar to FIG. 12A in which the control stem is in the stable pull-out position T2. It is a perspective view of the 1st and 2nd contact springs. 14A and 14B are schematic views showing the coordination between the fingers of the control stem position indexing plate and the third and fourth contact springs. It is a partial perspective view of the flexible printed circuit sheet in which the contact pads of the 1st and 2nd contact springs are arranged. It is a perspective view about the free part of the flexible printed circuit sheet to which an inductive sensor is fixed. FIG. 17A is a perspective view of the control device, in which a free portion of the flexible print sheet is bent onto the back surface of the control device. FIG. 17B is a perspective view of the control device, on which a free portion of the flexible printed circuit sheet is bent and held by a holding plate screwed to the control device. To. FIG. 3 is an elevational view of a system that detects the position of a magnetization ring with two inductive sensors. It is an elevational view about the system which detects the rotation of the magnetization ring by a single inductive sensor. It is a perspective view about the control device provided in the portable thing. FIG. 20 is a diagram similar to FIG. 20 in which the control stem has been removed from the portable object. It is the schematic perspective view about the detection element of an inductive sensor and the direction which this detection element detects the fluctuation of magnetic induction.

The present invention is generally highly reliable and is a technique that can be reproduced even when moving from one portable object to another, especially in the case of mass production, and is as small as a timekeeper. It evolved from the creative idea of detecting the rotation of a control stem mounted on a portable object. In order to overcome this problem, it is proposed that the magnetization ring is rotationally driven via a control stem and a pair of inductive sensors detect changes in the magnetic induction caused by the rotation of the magnetization ring. Each of these two inductive sensors is configured to detect fluctuations in magnetic induction in only one direction in space. Therefore, the effect of magnetic induction outside the portable object on the measurement signals of both inductive sensors is the same, which allows the environment in which the portable object is located from the measurement results via an appropriate signal processing process. The influence of magnetic induction can be completely eliminated.

The present invention further comprises calculating the arctangent function of the ratio between the signals produced by two inductive sensors configured to detect fluctuations in magnetic induction in only one direction in space. The present invention relates to a method for detecting the position and direction of rotation of a rotary control stem. The ratio between the signals produced by these two inductive sensors because the magnetic induction of the environment in which the portable object is located affects the sensing elements of the two inductive sensors in only one direction in space. By calculating the arctangent function, it is possible to eliminate the signal component due to the influence of magnetic induction on the outside of the portable object.

In all of this, the rear-to-front direction is from the outer actuating crown along the longitudinal axis of symmetry XX of the control stem to the inside of the portable object with the control device. It is a linear direction extending in the horizontal direction. Therefore, the control stem is pushed from the rear side to the front side and pulled from the front side to the rear side. Further, the vertical direction extends perpendicularly to the plane on which the control stem extends.

FIG. 1 is an unassembled perspective view of a device that controls at least one electronic function of a small portable object such as a wristwatch. Reference numeral 1 is assigned to the control device as a whole, and the control device is a lower frame made of a non-magnetic metallic material such as injection-molded plastic material or brass. It serves as a cradle for the control stem 4 which has 2 and has a longitudinal axis of symmetry XX, preferably an elongated, substantially cylindrical shape. The control stem 4 slides from the front side to the rear side and from the back side to the front side along the longitudinal symmetry axis XX, and / or the same longitudinal symmetry axis X-X as described above. It is configured to rotate around X in the clockwise and counterclockwise directions.

The rear end 6 will be located outside the portable object after the control device 1 is attached to the portable object, at which the control stem 4 receives the operating crown 8. (See FIG. 20).

The front end 10 will be located inside the control device 1 after the control device 1 has been assembled, at which the control stem 4 has, for example, a square compartment 12 and a magnetic assembly 14. And the smooth bearing 16 are sequentially received.

The magnetic assembly 14 has a magnetized ring 18 and a support ring 20, and the magnetized ring 18 is fixed to the support ring 20 by an adhesive bond (see FIG. 4). The support ring 20 is generally a cylindrical component as a whole. As shown in FIG. 5, the support ring 20 has a first compartment 22a and a second compartment 22b from the rear side to the front side, and the first compartment 22a has a first outer diameter D1. The magnetizing ring 18 is engaged on the first compartment 22a, and the second compartment 22b has a second outer diameter D2 larger than the first outer diameter D1 and shoulders. The boundary of the portion 24 is formed, and the magnetization ring 18 comes into contact with the shoulder portion 24. A square hole 26 is formed in the first section 22a of the support ring 20, and the shape and size of the square hole 26 are adapted to the square section 12 of the control stem 4, and the control stem 4 Together with it forms a sliding pinion type system. That is, when the control stem 4 is made to slide in the axial direction, the support ring 20 and the magnetizing ring 28 remain immobile. However, when the control stem 4 rotates, the control stem 4 rotationally drives the drive ring 20 and the magnetization ring 18. From the above, it is clear that the magnetized ring 18 supported by the support ring 20 is not in contact with the control stem 4. This makes it possible to protect the magnetization ring 18 when a portable object including the control device 1 is impacted.

The smooth bearing 16 forms a cylindrical housing 28 in which the first inner diameter D3 of the housing 28 is only slightly larger than the diameter of the circle inscribed by the square compartment 12 of the control stem 4 (FIG. 5). ), This allows the control stem 4 to axially slide and / or rotate within the cylindrical housing 28. Thus, the smooth bearing 16 ensures complete axial guidance of the control stem 4.

The square hole 26 formed in the first section 22a of the support ring 20 extends toward the front side of the control device 1 by the annular hole 30, and the second of the annular hole 30. It should be noted that the inner diameter D4 fits into the third outer diameter D5 of the smooth bearing 16. In this way, the support ring 20 is fitted so as to rotate freely with respect to the smooth bearing 16, and moves axially so as to abut the smooth bearing 16. This ensures perfect axial alignment of these two parts and can correct any concentricity problems that can occur with sliding pinion type couplings.

The smooth bearing 16 has an annular collar 32 on its outer surface for axial immobilization, the annular collar 32 being the lower frame 2 (see FIG. 2) and the upper frame, respectively. It penetrates into the first groove 34a and the second groove 34b in 36 (see FIG. 6) and is configured to be covered by the lower frame 2, for example, injection molded plastic material or brass. It is made of non-magnetic material such as. These two lower frames 2 and upper frames 36 will be described in detail below.

It is important to note that the magnetic assembly 14 and smooth bearing 16 described above are shown for illustration purposes only. In fact, for example, a smooth bearing 16 made of steel or brass prevents the control stem 4 made of steel or the like from rubbing the lower frame 2 and the upper frame 36, and also under these two. It is configured to prevent wear of the plastic material typically used as the material of the side frame 2 and the upper frame 36. However, in a simplified embodiment, it can be considered that the control stem 4 is directly supported by the lower frame 2 without using such a smooth bearing 16.

Similarly, the magnetization ring 18 and the support ring 20 to which the magnetization ring 18 is fixed are intended for cases where the rotation of the control stem 4 is detected by local variation in the magnetic field induced by the rotation of the magnetization ring 18. Has been done. However, it is conceivable to replace the entire magnetic assembly 14 with, for example, a sliding pinion. The sliding pinion controls, for example, whether to wind the main spring or set the time of a wristwatch including the control device 1 according to its position.

It is also important to note that an example of this control stem 4 with a square section in part of its length is given for illustration purposes only. In fact, to drive the magnetic assembly 14 rotationally, the control stem 4 may have sections of any type other than circular cross sections, such as triangular or oval cross sections.

The combined assembly of the lower frame 2 and the upper frame 36 forms the outer geometry of the control device 1, and these lower frame 2 and the upper frame 36 are generally viewed as a whole, for example. It is a shape corresponding to a parallelepiped. The lower frame 2 forms a cradle that receives the control stem 4. For this purpose (see FIG. 2), the lower frame 2 has a first receiving surface 38 having a partially circular contour on the front side, the first receiving surface 38 of the smooth bearing 16. It functions as a pedestal, and a first groove 34a for receiving the annular collar 32 is formed on the first receiving surface 38. In this way, the smooth immobilization of the bearing 1 in both the axial direction and the rotational direction is ensured.

The lower frame 2 further has a second receiving surface 40 on the rear side, and the partial circular contour thereof is centered on the axis of symmetry XX in the longitudinal direction of the control stem 4, but its diameter. Is larger than the diameter of the control stem 4. It is important to understand that the control stem 4 rests only on the second receiving surface 40 at the stage where the assembled control device 1 is inspected before being mounted on a portable object. During this assembly step, the control stem 4 is inserted into the control device 1 for inspection so that it extends horizontally, with a smooth bearing 16 at the front end 10 of the control stem 4, and by the control stem 4. It is supported and axially guided at the rear end 6 via a second bearing surface. However, after the control device 1 is mounted on a portable object, the control stem 4 passes through a hole 42 provided in the case middle portion 48 of the portable object and is guided and supported in the hole 42. (See FIG. 21).

Further, the lower frame 2 has third and fourth clearance surfaces 44a and 46a having a partially circular contour, and the upper frame 36 has complementary clearance surfaces 44b and 46b (see FIG. 6). Receives a magnetic assembly 14 formed by a magnetizing ring 18 and its support ring 20. When the control device 1 is assembled and mounted on a portable object, the magnetizing ring 18 and its support ring 20 are complementary to the third and fourth clearance surfaces 44a and the fourth clearance surface 46a. Not in contact with clearance surfaces 44b and 46b. It should also be noted that the third clearance surface 44a and its corresponding complementary clearance surface 44b are bounded by an annular collar 50 that axially locks the magnetic assembly 14.

As shown in FIG. 3, the control stem 4 has a cylindrical compartment 52 behind the square compartment 12. The diameter of the cylindrical compartment 52 is between the diameter of the circle inscribed by the square compartment 12 of the control stem 4 and the original diameter of the rear compartment 54 of the control stem 4, at the end of the control stem 4. The operating crown 8 is fixed. The small-diameter cylindrical compartment 52 forms a recess 56, in which the position indexing plate 58 for the control stem 4 is arranged. For this purpose, the position indexing plate 58 has a curved portion 60 having a shape corresponding to the contour of the small diameter cylindrical compartment 52. The position indexing plate 58 can be obtained, for example, by stamping a thin conductive metal plate. However, it is also conceivable to make the positional indexing plate 58, for example, by molding a hard plastic material containing conductive fine particles. The engagement of the position indexing plate 58 with the recess 56 ensures a connection between the control stem 4 and the position indexing plate 58 that translates from the front side to the back side and from the back side to the front side. However, as will be clear below, the positional indexing plate 58 is free with respect to the control stem 4 in the vertical direction z perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of symmetry XX of the control stem 4.

As shown in FIG. 7A, the positional indexing plate 58 is substantially flat and is generally a U-shaped component as a whole. The positional indexing plate 58 has two substantially linear guide arms 62 that extend parallel to each other and are connected to each other by a curved portion 60. These two guide arms 62 are, for example, axially guided while facing the two studs 64 arranged on the lower frame 2 (see particularly FIG. 2). The position indexing plate 58 is guided by its two guide arms 62 and slides along the rim 68 on the upper frame 36, the periphery of the rim 68 corresponding to the periphery of the position indexing plate 58. (See FIG. 6). The positional indexing plate 58 further has two fingers 66a, 66b extending vertically downward on both sides of the entire two guide arms 62. The positional indexing plate 58 has a function of ensuring the guide of the control stem 4 so as to translate from the front side to the rear side and from the rear side to the front side when sliding along the rim 68. The fingers 66a, 66b are specifically intended to prevent the position indexing plate 58 from being supported when the position indexing plate 58 translates.

The guide arm 62 of the position indexing plate 58 is formed with two openings 70 having a roughly rectangular contour (see in particular FIG. 7B). These two openings 70 extend symmetrically on both sides of the longitudinal axis of symmetry XX of the control stem 4. The first and second recesses 74a and 74b separated by the peak 76 are formed on the side surface of the two openings 70 on the side closest to the axis of symmetry XX in the longitudinal direction of the control stem 4. There is a substantially sinusoidal cam path 72.

The two openings 70 formed in the guide arm 62 are intended to receive the two ends 78 of the positioning spring 80 (see FIG. 8). The positioning spring 80 is generally U-shaped as a whole and has two arbor 82s extending in a horizontal plane and connected to each other by a base 84. These two arbor 82s extend on their free end side by two substantially linear arms 86 that rise upwards. The positioning spring 80 is intended to be mounted on the control device 1 through the bottom of the lower frame 2 so that the end 78 of the arm 86 enters the opening 70 of the position indexing plate 58. By reading below, the coordination between the position indexing plate 58 and the positioning spring 80 allows the position of the control stem 4 to be indexed between the unstable indented position T0 and the two stable positions T1 and T2. You will find that

It was mentioned above that the position indexing plate 58 is connected to the control stem 4 so as to translate, but is free with respect to the control stem 4 in the vertical direction z . Therefore, it is necessary to take measures to prevent the position indexing plate 58 from being disengaged from the control stem 4 under normal use conditions such as under the influence of gravity. To this end (see FIGS. 9 and 11), the position where the spring 88, which limits the displacement of the position indexing plate 58 in the vertical direction z, is only a short distance from this position indexing plate 58 on this position indexing plate 58. Is placed in. The displacement limiting spring 88 is designed so that it cannot escape between the lower frame 2 and the upper frame 36 of the control device 1, but does not come into contact with the position indexing plate 58 under normal use conditions. This makes it possible to prevent the generation of parasitic frictional force on the control stem 4. When such a parasitic frictional force is generated on the control stem 4, it becomes difficult to operate the control stem 4 and a problem of wear occurs. However, the displacement limiting spring 88 is placed sufficiently close to the position indexing plate 58 to prevent the position indexing plate 58 from being inadvertently separated from the control stem 4.

The displacement limiting spring 88 has a substantially linear central portion 90, and two pairs of elastic arms 92 and 94 extend from the end of the central portion 90. These elastic arms 92 and 94 extend upward from the horizontal plane on which the center 90 extends on both sides of the center 90 of the displacement limiting spring 88. These elastic arms 92 and 94 impart elasticity along the vertical direction z to the displacement limiting spring 88 in order to compress the upper frame 36 when it joins the lower frame 2. Further, there is at least one pair, preferably two pairs of rigid protrusions 96 between the pairs of the elastic arms 92 and 94, and the protrusions 96 are vertically oriented on both sides of the central portion 90 of the displacement limiting spring 88. It extends downward. These rigid protrusions 96 move so as to abut on the lower frame 2 when the upper frame 36 is placed on the lower frame 2, and the protrusions 96 move in the normal operating state of the control device 1. Ensure that a minimal space is formed between the position indexing plate 58 and the displacement limiting spring 88.

The displacement limiting spring 88 ensures that the control device 1 can be disassembled. In fact, without the displacement limiting spring 88, the position indexing plate 58 would be integrated with the control stem 4 and therefore the control stem 4 could no longer be disassembled. If the control stem 4 cannot be disassembled, the movement of the timekeeper including the control device 1 cannot be disassembled. This is unacceptable, especially in the case of expensive timekeepers. Therefore, the control device 1 formed by connecting the lower and upper frames 2 and 36 is mounted in the portable object, and the control stem 4 is inserted into the control device 1 from the outside of the portable object. The control stem 4 then slightly lifts the position indexing plate 58 to counteract the elastic force of the displacement limiting spring 88. When the control stem 4 is pushed and continues to move forward, the time comes when the position indexing plate 58 falls into the recess 56 under the influence of gravity. Then, the control stem 4 and the position indexing plate 58 are connected so as to make a translational motion.

A disassembly plate 98 is provided to allow the control stem 4 to be disassembled (see FIG. 10). The disassembly plate 98 is generally H-shaped as a whole, and has a linear compartment 100 extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of symmetry XX of the control stem 4. Section 100 is provided with first and second lateral pieces 102 and 104. Further, the first lateral piece 102 has two protrusions 106 that are bent at substantially right angles and stand up at their two free ends. The disassembly plate 98 is received in a housing 108 formed by the lower frame 2 and located below the control stem 4. The housing 108 communicates with the outside of the control device 1 through a hole 110 that opens into the lower surface 112 of the control device 1 (see FIG. 11). Propulsion can be applied to the disassembly plate 98 by inserting a sharp tool into the hole 110. In response to this, the disassembly plate 98 pushes the position indexing plate 58 through its two protrusions 106 so as to oppose the elastic force of the displacement limiting spring 88. Then, the position indexing plate 58 leaves the recess 56 formed in the control stem 4 and applies a slight traction force to the rear to the control stem 4. This is sufficient to remove the control stem 4 from the control device 1.

The control stem 4 can be pushed forward from its stable standby position T1 to an unstable position T0, and can be pulled to a stable position T2. These three positions T0, T1 and T2 of the control stem 4 are indexed by the coordination between the position indexing plate 58 and the positioning spring 80. More precisely (see FIG. 12A), in the stable standby position T1, it is not possible to input instructions to a portable object equipped with the control device 1, and this stable standby position T1 is the position indexing plate 58. Corresponds to the position where the end 78 of the arm 86 of the positioning spring 80 is inserted into the first recess 74a in the two openings 70 formed in the guide arm 62 of the above. The control stem 4 can be pushed forward from this stable standby position T1 to an unstable position T0 (see FIG. 12B). During this displacement, the end 78 of the arm 86 of the positioning spring 80 leaves the first recess 74a and follows the first inclined contour 114. The first inclined contour 114 gradually separates from the longitudinal axis of symmetry XX of the control stem 4 at the first steep inclination α (see FIG. 7B). Therefore, in order to separate the end 78 of the arm 86 of the positioning spring 80 from the first recess 74a and to separate these ends 78 from each other and link them with the first inclined contour 114, the user has a large resistance force. Must be overcome.

When the end 78 of the arm 86 reaches the turning point 116, it is linked on the second inclined contour 118. The second inclined contour 118 follows the first inclined contour 114 and has a second inclined β lower than the first inclined α of the first inclined contour 114. When the end 78 of the arm 86 of the positioning spring 80 passes through the turning point 116 and becomes associated with the second tilt contour 118, the force required of the user to keep the control stem 4 moving drops sharply. The user feels a click representing the transition of the control stem 4 between positions T1 and T0. As these ends 78 follow the second tilt contour 118, the arms 86 of the positioning spring 80 continue to move slightly away from their standby position, counteracting the propulsion force given to the control stem 4 by the user. Under the influence of those elastic restoring forces, they tend to try to approach each other again. As soon as the user releases the pressure on the control stem 4, the arm 86 of the positioning spring 80 spontaneously returns to the first inclined contour 114, and the end 78 of the positioning spring 80 is the guide arm 62 of the position indexing plate 58. It is housed again in the first recess 74a of the two openings 70 formed in. In this way, the control stem 4 is automatically returned from its unstable position T0 to its first stable position T1.

The first and second contact springs 120a and 120b are configured to be compressed in the first and second cavities 122a and 122b in the lower frame 2. These first and second contact springs 120a and 120b can be spiral contact springs, slender springs or other springs. The two cavities 122a and 122b preferably extend horizontally. However, it is not essential. Since the two contact springs 120a and 120b are installed in a compressed state, the accuracy of their positioning depends on the manufacturing tolerance of the lower frame 2. The manufacturing accuracy of the lower frame 2 is higher than the manufacturing accuracy of these first and second contact springs 120a and 120b. Therefore, the accuracy of detecting the position T0 of the control stem 4 is high.

As shown in FIGS. 13 and 15, one end of the first and second contact springs 120a, 120b is bent to form two contact lugs 124, which contact lugs 124 are flexible printed circuits. It moves abutting on two corresponding first contact pads 126 provided on the surface of the sheet 128. At the time when the end 78 of the arm 86 of the positioning spring 80 engages with the second inclined contour 118 of the two openings 70 formed in the position indexing plate 58, the fingers 66a, 66b of the position indexing plate 58 are the first and first. It coincides with the time when the contact springs 120a and 120b of No. 2 come into contact with each other. Since the position indexing plate 58 is conductive, a current flows through the position indexing plate 58 when the fingers 66a and 66b come into contact with the first and second contact springs 120a and 120b, and the first and second contact springs It is detected that the electrical contact between 120a and 120b is closed.

The first and second contact springs 120a and 120b have the same length. However, preferably, the first cavity 122a is made longer than, for example, the second cavity 122b, especially considering the issue of tolerance (the difference in length between the two cavities 122a, 122b is 1). It is a few tenths of a millimeter). Therefore, when the control stem 4 is pushed forward to the position T0, the finger 66a of the position indexing plate 58 aligned with the first contact spring 120a housed in the longest first cavity 122a becomes the first. It comes into contact with the contact spring 120a and begins to compress the first contact spring 120a. The control stem 4 continues to move forward and the second finger 66b of the position indexing plate 58 contacts the second contact spring 120b housed in the shortest second cavity 122b. At this point, the position indexing plate 58 is in contact with the first and second contact springs 120a and 120b, and a current flows through the position indexing plate 58. This makes it possible to detect that the electrical contact between the first and second contact springs 120a and 120b is closed. The fingers 66a and 66b of the position indexing plate 58 move so as to come into contact with the first and second contact springs 120a and 120b. Therefore, when the control stem 4 is pushed forward to the position T0 and closes the circuit between the first and second contact springs 120a and 120b, no friction or wear occurs. Also, the difference in length between the first and second cavities 122a, 122b closes the electrical contact, and the input of the corresponding instruction to the portable object with the control device 1 is a click. It is certain that it will occur only after you feel it.

When the two fingers 66a, 66b of the position indexing plate 58 are in contact with the first and second contact springs 120a, 120b, the first contact spring 120a housed in the longest first cavity 122a compresses. It is in a state. Therefore, when the user releases the pressure on the control stem 4, the first contact spring 120a relaxes and causes the control stem 4 to return from its unstable indentation position T0 to its first stable position T1. Therefore, the first and second contact springs 120a and 120b act simultaneously with the electrical contact component and the elastic return means for the control stem 4 at the first stable position T1.

From the first stable position T1, the control stem 4 can be pulled rearward to reach the second stable position T2 (see FIG. 12C). During this movement, the end 78 of the arm 86 of the positioning spring 80 is elastically deformed to transition from the first recess 74a to the second recess 74b, which is formed on the guide arm 62 of the position indexing plate 58. It straddles the peak 76 at the two openings 70. When the control stem 4 reaches its second stable position T2, the two fingers 66a, 66b of the position indexing plate 58 are housed in the third and fourth cavities 132a, 132b formed in the lower frame 2. It moves so as to abut the third and fourth contact springs 130a and 130b (see FIG. 13). These third and fourth contact springs 130a, 130b can be spiral contact springs, slender springs or other springs. The third and fourth cavities 132a, 132b preferably extend vertically due to the space in the control device 1. Since the position indexing plate 58 is conductive, when the fingers 66a, 66b come into contact with the third and fourth contact springs 130a, 130b, an electric current flows through the position indexing plate 58, and between these contact springs 130a, 130b. It is detected that the electrical contact T2 is closed.

In the case of the stable position T2, the fingers 66a and 66b of the position indexing plate 58 also come into contact with the third and fourth contact springs 130a and 130b, whereby there is a risk of wear due to friction. Can be avoided in either case. Further, the third and fourth contact springs 130a and 130b can bend when the fingers 66a and 66b of the position indexing plate 58 collide with each other, and therefore, any lack of accuracy in the positioning of the position indexing plate 58 can be achieved. Can also be absorbed.

Preferably, the third and fourth contact springs 130a, 130b are configured to operate to bend (see FIGS. 14A and 14B). However, it is not essential. In fact, in order to use the contact springs 130a, 130b of constant diameter, the fingers 66a, 66b of the position indexing plate 58 are on the large surface near their attachment points in the lower frame 2 and the upper frame 36. It comes into contact with the contact springs 130a and 130b. Since the contact surface is near the attachment points of the contact springs 130a and 130b, shear stress is generated in the contact springs 130a and 130b, which causes early wear and tear of the contact springs 130a and 130b. There is. In order to overcome this problem, the contact springs 130a and 130b preferably have a diameter increasing portion 134 at an intermediate height, in which the control stem 4 reaches its stable position T2. When pulled, it comes into contact with the fingers 66a, 66b of the position indexing plate 58. The third and fourth contact springs 130a and 130b are guided at their upper ends into two holes 136 formed in the upper frame 36 and provided on the surface of the flexible printed circuit sheet 128. It contacts the contact pad 138. When the control stem 4 is pulled rearward to its stable position T2, the fingers 66a, 66b of the position indexing plate 58 are at the third and fourth contact springs 130a and 130b and their maximum diameter 134. Contact on a small surface. This allows the contact springs 130a, 130b to bend between their two attachment points on the lower frame 2 and the upper frame 36.

In FIG. 15, the lower and upper frames 2 and 36 are consciously omitted to facilitate understanding of the drawings. As shown in FIG. 15, the flexible printed circuit sheet 128 is fixed on a plate 140 on the front side of a portable object. The flexible printed circuit sheet 128 is, in particular, in the form of a cutout 142 whose shape and size are configured to receive the upper frame 36. One portion 144 of the flexible printed circuit sheet 128 remains free (see FIG. 16). This free portion 144 of the flexible printed circuit sheet 128 carries a plurality of electronic components 146 in addition to the third contact pad 148, and at least one on the third contact pad 148. In the example shown, two inductive sensors 150 are fixed. By fixing the inductive sensors 150 to the third contact pad 148, these inductive sensors 150 are housed in a portable object via a flexible printed circuit sheet 128 (Figure). It becomes possible to connect to (not shown). The power supply supplies the energy required for operation to the inductive sensor 150, and the microprocessor receives and processes the signal supplied by the inductive sensor 150.

The free portion 144 of the flexible printed circuit sheet 128 is connected by two strips 152 to the rest of the flexible printed circuit sheet 128, thereby passing around the assembly of the upper frame 36 and the lower frame 2. It is possible to bend the free portion 144 and then bend it down to the lower surface 112 of the lower frame 2. As a result, the inductive sensor 150 enters the two housings 156 formed on the lower surface 112 of the lower frame 2. The inductive sensors 150 are thus located within their housing 156 and exactly below the magnetizing ring 18. This ensures that the direction of rotation of the control stem 4 can be detected with high reliability.

When the free portion 144 of the flexible printed circuit sheet 128 is bent down to face the lower frame 2 (see FIG. 17A), the assembly is at least one (two in the illustrated example). It is covered by a holding plate 158 with elastic fingers 160. The elastic fingers 160 exert a vertical upward elastic pressure on the inductive sensors 150 to push these inductive sensors 150 towards the bottom of their housing 156 (see FIG. 17B). The elastic finger 160 preferably pushes the flexible print circuit 128 where the inductive sensor 150 is fixed. The holding plate 158 is fixed to the plate 140 by, for example, two screws 162.

The control stem 4 is supported by a lower frame 2 that acts as a cradle. Similarly, the two inductive sensors 150 are located within the two housings 156 formed in the lower frame 2 and pushed towards the bottom of these housings 156 by one or two elastic fingers 160 ( See FIG. 18). Therefore, the relative positioning accuracy between the inductive sensor 150 and the magnetizing ring 18 rotatably mounted to the control stem 4 is determined solely by the accuracy with which the lower frame 2 is made. The manufacturing accuracy of the lower frame 2 made of injection molded plastic or the like is sufficient to ensure proper positioning of the inductive sensor 150 and the magnetization ring 18 even in large scale manufacturing. Also, since the inductive sensor 150 is exerted an elastic force towards the bottom of the housing 156 by one or more elastic fingers 160, it is possible to compensate for any play due to manufacturing tolerances. Such manufacturing tolerances may be due, in particular, to the step of coupling the Hall effect component 150 onto the flexible printed circuit sheet 128. This coupling operation is performed in the furnace using, for example, a solder paste deposited on the contact pad 148 of the flexible printed circuit sheet 128.

Each of the one or more inductive sensors 150 has a detection element 154. In its simplified form, the detection element 154 is in the form of a parallelepiped element, which detects fluctuations in magnetic induction in a direction S perpendicular to the large plane of the parallelepiped element (FIG. See 22). In the example shown in FIG. 18, the inductive sensor 150 is preferably oriented so that these detection elements 154 detect fluctuations in magnetic induction only in the vertical direction z . That is, the inductive sensor is completely insensitive to horizontal components along the orthogonal x and y axes of magnetic induction.

When using a single inductive sensor 150 (see FIG. 19), the rotational amplitude and position of the control stem 4 is simply determined with average accuracy. In fact, as a result of the operation of the control stem 4, when the magnetization ring 18 rotates, the inductive sensor 150 produces a sinusoid signal such that the amplitude of the variation varies depending on the value of the associated angle. For example, in the region close to the value π / 2, the sinusoid signal remains almost unchanged so that the control stem 4 rotates to a large range without major modification to the signal supplied by the inductive sensor 150. Can be done. Therefore, the position and displacement of the control stem 4 can be detected with only average accuracy. However, the sine-soid signal fluctuates sharply in a region close to the value π so that the amount of rotation and the position of the control stem 4 can be determined with high accuracy. If the position and amount of rotation of the control stem 4 can be detected with average accuracy, the above system is quite suitable. However, when very high measurement accuracy is required, it is preferred that the portable object according to the invention comprises two inductive sensors 150 (see FIG. 18). In fact, by using the two inductive sensors 150, both the amplitude and orientation of the rotation of the control stem 4 can be determined with high accuracy. In this way, the two inductive sensors 150 are arranged symmetrically with respect to the plane P passing through the rotation center O of the magnetization ring 18 at the same distance from the rotation center O of the magnetization ring 18. Preferably, the two inductive sensors 150 have an angle δ with respect to the control stem 4, which is 60 to 120 °, preferably 90 °, when the magnetization ring 18 rotates due to the operation of the control stem 4. Therefore, the two inductive sensors 150 are configured to generate sinusoid signals sin (x) and sin (x + δ) that are out of phase with each other. In order to calculate the relative configuration of the two inductive sensors and the magnetization ring 18, continuous iteration can be performed, for example, by finite element calculation software.

Calculating the arctangent function of the ratio between these two measurement signals, thanks to the phase shift δ between the sinusoid measurement signals sin (x) and sin (x + δ) produced by the two inductive sensors 150, A straight line is obtained. Therefore, from the rotational movement of the control stem 4, a linear response can be obtained from the system formed by the control stem 4, the magnetization ring 18 and the two inductive sensors 150. This linearization of the rotation of the control stem 4 preferably allows absolute detection of the position of the control stem 4. That is, the direction and position of rotation of the control stem 4 can be known at any time. Also, thanks to the phase shift δ, when the measurement signal sin (x) of the sinusoid produced by one of the two inductive sensors 150 changes slightly, the sinusoid signal sin (x + δ) of the other becomes sharper. On the contrary, it fluctuates, and vice versa, and there is always a situation where the ratio between these two signals always gives highly accurate information about the rotation of the control stem 4.

In the above, it was mentioned that the inductive sensor 150 is preferably oriented such that its sensing elements are oriented so as to detect only fluctuations in magnetic induction along the vertical axis z . The component of this magnetic induction is the sum of the inductions along the axis z generated by the magnetizing ring 18 and the magnetic field outside the portable object. However, if the inductive sensors 150 are very close to each other, the effect of the outside magnetic field on them is substantially the same for both inductive sensors 150. Therefore, by calculating the ratio between the two sinusoid signals sin (x) and sin (x + δ), there is no magnetic induction component due to the magnetic field outside the portable object. Thus, the response of the system formed by the control stem 4, the magnetization ring 18 and the inductive sensor 150 is completely independent of the external magnetic field, and it is not necessary to take measures to magnetically shield the portable object. Absent. Similarly, the response of this system is temperature independent as long as both inductive sensors are similarly affected by temperature.

Of course, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and those skilled in the art can consider various simple modifications and variations without departing from the scope of the present invention defined by the appended claims. Specifically, the magnetized ring of interest here is preferably a bipolar ring, but can be a multi-pole magnetized ring. Also, the dimensional configuration of the magnetization ring can be extended so as to correspond to a hollow cylinder.

1: Control device 2: Lower frame 4: Control stem XX: Longitudinal axis of symmetry 6: Rear end 8: Acting crown 10: Front end 12: Square compartment 14: Magnetic assembly 16: Smooth bearing 18 : Magnetized ring 20: Support ring 22a: First compartment D1: First outer diameter 22b: Second compartment D2: Second outer diameter 24: Shoulder 26: Square hole 28: Cylindrical housing D3: 1st inner diameter 30: annular hole D4: 2nd inner diameter D5: 3rd outer diameter 32: annular collar 34a: 1st groove 34b: 2nd groove 36: upper frame 38: 1st receiving surface 40: Second receiving surface 42: Hole 44a, 46a: Third and fourth undercut surfaces 44b, 46b: Complementary undercut surface 48: Case middle portion 49: Back side 50: Circular collar 52: Cylindrical Section 54: Rear section 56: Recess 58: Position indexing plate 60: Bent part 62: Guide arm 64: Stud 66a, 66b: Finger 68: Rim 70: Opening 72: Contour 74a: First recess 74b: Second Concave part 76: Peak 78: End 80: Positioning spring 82: Arm 84: Base 86: Arbor 88: Displacement limiting spring 90: Center 92: Elastic arm pair 94: Elastic arm pair 96: Hard protrusion 98: Disassembly plate 100: Linear compartment 102: First lateral piece 104: Second lateral piece 106: Projection 108: Housing 110: Hole 112: Bottom surface 114: First inclined contour α: First inclined 116: Turning point 118 : Second inclined contour β: Second inclined 120a, 120b: First and second contact springs 122a, 122b: First and second cavities 124: Contact lug 126: First contact pad 128: Flexible Printed circuit sheets 130a, 130b Third and fourth contact springs 132a, 132b Third and fourth cavities 134: Diameter increase 136: Hole 138: Second contact pad 140: Plate 142: Cutout 144: Free portion 146: Electronic component 148: Third contact pad 150: Inductive sensor 152: Elongated material 154: Detection element 156: Housing 158: Holding plate 160: Elastic finger 162: Screw

Claims (11)

A portable object having a control stem (4) and a magnetizing ring (18).
By rotating and operating the control stem (4), at least one electronic or mechanical function of the portable object can be controlled.
The magnetization ring (18) is rotationally driven by the control stem (4).
The two inductive sensors (150) are configured to detect the rotation and position of the control stem (4).
The two inductive sensors (150) is configured to detect the change of the magnetic induction generated by the rotation of the magnetization ring (18) only in two parallel directions in space,
The portable object has a frame (2) configured to act as a cradle for the control stem (4).
The inductive sensor (150) is arranged in at least one housing (156) arranged in the frame (2) and is held in the frame (2) by elastic means . A portable item. The two inductive sensors (150) are at equal distances from the center of rotation ( O ) of the magnetized ring (18) with respect to a plane ( P ) passing through the center of rotation ( O ) of the magnetized ring (18). The portable object according to claim 1, which is arranged symmetrically. The portable object according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the two inductive sensors (150) detect a change in magnetic induction only in the vertical direction. The two inductive sensors (150) have values of 60 to 120 ° for the two inductive sensors (150) when the magnetization ring (18) is rotated by the operation of the control stem (4). The portable object according to claim 1 or 3, which is configured for the control stem (4) so as to generate signals that are out of phase with each other. The portable device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the two inductive sensors (150) are arranged in two separate housings (156) configured in the frame (2). Things. The portable object has a holding plate (158) with at least one elastic finger (160).
The elastic finger (160) places the inductive sensor (150) in at least one housing (156) in which the inductive sensor (150) is located by pressure on the inductive sensor (150). The portable item according to any one of claims 1 to 5 to be retained. The holding plate (158) has two elastic fingers (160).
The inductive sensor (150) is fixed to the printed circuit sheet (128).
The portable object according to claim 6 , wherein the elastic finger (160) pushes the inductive sensor (150) at a position where the inductive sensor (150) is fixed to the printed circuit sheet (128). The printed circuit sheet (128) is flexible and
The printed circuit sheet (128) is bent and comes into contact with the frame (2).
The portable object according to claim 7 , wherein the inductive sensor (150) is arranged in the housing (156). The portable object according to claim 8 , wherein the elastic finger (160) immobilizes the inductive sensor (150) in the vertical direction. The ninth aspect of the present invention, wherein the elastic finger (160) is configured to press the inductive sensor (150) against the bottom of the housing (156) in which the inductive sensor (150) is arranged. A portable item. It is a method of detecting the position of the control stem (4).
Rotational operation of the control stem (4) controls at least the electronic or mechanical function of the portable object comprising the control stem (4).
The magnetization ring (18) is rotationally driven by the control stem (4).
Two inductive sensors (150) configured such that the rotation and position of the control stem (4) detect changes in magnetic induction caused by the rotation of the magnetization ring (18) in only one direction in space. ) Detected by
The method, have a step by calculating the arc tangent function of the ratio between the signals produced by each of the inductive sensor (150), determines the direction of rotation and the position of said control stem (4),
The portable object has a frame (2) configured to act as a cradle for the control stem (4).
The inductive sensor (150) is arranged in at least one housing (156) arranged in the frame (2) and is held in the frame (2) by elastic means . Method.

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